Threave Rovers were simply “outclassed” on Saturday against Spartans according to manager Paul McGinley.

The Lowland League’s bottom team lost 4-1 in the capital as they continue the hunt for their first league victory since the opening day of the season.

McGinley said: “We were outclassed. They’re a good team and we weren’t at the races. We only performed in the last five minutes but by then it was too late.

“In the first 15 minutes they set the tone. They stayed high up the pitch and didn’t let us out and I was very impressed with them.

“It’s the fourth time I’ve been to Ainslie Park as a manager and the first time I’ve been beaten but games like that aren’t going to define our season. Better teams than us have been there and got beaten.

“I’m still learning about individuals and what they can do and what they can’t do. On Saturday I probably learnt more about what they can’t do.”

Spartans took the lead after quarter of an hour thanks to a tremendous effort from David Greenhill.

Soon after Dean Horribine added the second with the help of the bar and any hope Threave had of clawing their way back into the game was wiped out early in the second half when Craig Stevenson scored a free-kick.

Greenhill added his second midway through the half, Ian Miller scoring a late consolation goal for Threave.

Things don’t get much easier for Threave this weekend. While they are at home, they are up against second placed Stirling University.

McGinley said: “There’s a band of four teams – Stirling University, Spartans, Edinburgh City and East Kilbride – who are the four top teams at the moment with Cumbernauld Colts not far behind.

“We’ll maybe change our system a bit and do something different but at the end of the day it’s same players.

“We can’t get any quality players in and it’ll maybe be six or eight weeks before they do what I imagine them doing and playing to the style of play.” After playing a trialist keeper on Saturday, McGinley is hoping Martin McAuley is fit enough to play. Ali Barnes remains sidelined with Keiran Roan free to find a new club.